Palace retracts Dr M’s invitation to King’s installation ceremony

PETALING JAYA: The invitation to former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to attend the grand palace ceremony for the installation of the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong next Tuesday appears to have been withdrawn.

A letter, signed by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal Datuk Seri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, stated that the invitation that was sent to Dr Mahathir had been retracted.

Dr Mahathir’s office has confirmed receiving the letter, informing him that he is not on the list of invitees.

The four-paragraph letter, dated Dec 5, and now circulating in the social media, was sent out to avoid “any embarrassment” because there would not be a seat reserved for him.

It was signed off wishing Dr Mahathir good health and offering apologies.

Datuk Paduka Marina Mahathir has also posted copies of the cancelled invitations to her father and mother Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali on her Facebook, accompanied by the comment: “Who will be the embarrassed ones?”

The cancellation is bound to be read as a royal snub of Dr Mahathir, who had a stormy history with the Kelantan palace during his time as prime minister.

Dr Mahathir has also not given up trying to present his Citizens’ Declaration to the Conference of Malay Rulers.

He managed to get an appointment with the outgoing King at the Istana Anak Bukit in Alor Setar but the document was not well received.

The installation ceremony at Istana Negara on Dec 13 will see Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan replacing Kedah Sultan Tuanku Abdul Halim ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah as the new King.

It is understood that invitations had been sent to all those with the titles of “Tun” but the actual reason for the retraction could not be established.

The guest list of more than 800 includes those with royal titles, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, judges and ministers.